Stoving lacquers



United States Patent Int. (:1. C08g 52/06, 22/10 US. Cl. 260-775 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to spontaneously cross-linking vehicles for stoving lacquers of copolymers of (a) 90 to 60% by weight of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers different from (b); and (b) 10 to 40% by weight of a /3- or -hydroxylalkyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, some of the hydroxyl groups being reacted with aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides to form semiesters, and the remaining hydroxyl groups being partly or totally reacted with a-alkoxyalkylisocyanates to form corresponding urethanes. The invention also relates to a process for the production of these copolymers and stoving lacquers obtained from these copolymers.

This invention relates to spontaneously cross-linking vehicles for stoving lacquers of copolymers of (a) 90 to 60% by Weight of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers different from (b); and (b) 10 to 40% by weight of a [3- or 'y-hydroxyalkyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, some of the hydroxyl groups being reacted with aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides to form semiesters, and the remaining hydroxyl groups being partly or totally reacted with onalkoxyalkylisocyanates to form corresponding urethanes. The invention also relates to a process for the production of these copolymers and stoving lacquers obtained from these copolymers.

Spontaneously cross-linking copolymers containing ozalkoxyalkyl urethane groups are already known. They are described in DAS No. 1,244,410 and are spontaneously cross-linking plastics or plastics intermediates. If lacquer vehicles are prepared from these compounds, the resulting vehicles show considerable advantages over multi-component systems (acrylic resin/melamine resin), because there are never any problems of compatibility in this single-component system. Unfortunately, they are still not altogether satisfactory because high stoving temperatures (ISO-180 C.) and long periods of time are required to harden coatings prepared with them. Although the hardening of these vehicles can be accelerated by the addition of acids as catalysts, such a measure involves disturbances due to the catalyst crystallising out and settling in the untreated material, and promotes surface faults, film formation and inadequate weathering resistance in the stoved lacquer.

Attempts have also been made to polymerise ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, intended to act as inner acid hardening catalysts, into vehicles for stoving lacquers containing amide-methylolethers (cf, DAS No. 1,083,548 and DAS No. 1,089,549). Although it is possible in this Way to reduce the stoving temperature from 180 C. to 150 C. the resistance of the vehicles, for example, to washing solutions, becomes increasingly weaker with increasing acid content.

In the case of vehicles containing a-alkoxyalkyl urethane groups, this method is unable to produce any appreciable reduction in the stoving temperature, or to improve the adhesion of the lacquer film to the substrate.

3,549,600 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 "ice The vehicles according to the present invention obviate all these disadvantages. They can be hardened at low temperatures (approximately 130 C.) and in short times (approximately 30 minutes). No additives are necessary. The lacquer films thus obtained show outstandng elasticity, bond strength and resistance to yellowing, even at fairly high temperatures.

The vehicles according to the invention consist of copolymers of: (a) to 60% by weight of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers different from (b); (b) 10 to 40% by weight of a B- or 'y-hydroxyalkylester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, part of the hydroxyl groups in this hydroxyalkyl ester being reacted with aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides to form the corresponding semiesters, and the remaining hydroxyl groups being partly or totally reacted with a-alkoxyalkyl isocyanates to form the corresponding urethanes. These substances are generally used in the form of a 40 to 60% by weight solution in a suitable aromatic solvent for the production of lacquer coatings.

Monoethylenically unsaturated monomers (a) that are suitable for the vehicles according to the invention include, in particular, alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid with 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, such as, for example, ethylacrylate, methylmethacrylate, butyl methacrylate, 2-ethyl hexylacrylate. They also include acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, styrene, a-methylstyrene and vinyl toluene, i.e., aromatic vinyl compounds and vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids, for example, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and vinyl versatate. One, two or three of these monomers may be used in any combination and in any quantitative ratio, depending upon the requirements which the end lacquer has to satisfy.

Examples of suitable 5- or v-hydroxyalkyl esters of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids include 18- or 'y-hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, in which case the ;3- or 'y-hydroxyalkyl group is preferably a B-hydroxyethyL, fi-hydroxypropylor 'y-hydroxypropyl group.

Suitable a-alkoxyalkyl isocyanates include in particular u-alkoxy-methyl isocyanates (alkyl C -C a-methoxymethyl isocyanate being particularly preferred. These compounds are described in DAS 1,205,087.

The hydroxyl groups of polymer component (b) are preferably initially reacted with the dicarboxylic acid an hydrides to form the semi-esters until the polymer has an acid number of from 5 to 30 and preferably from 8 to 20. 50 to of the residual hydroxyl groups are then converted into the corresponding urethane with aalkoxyalkyl isocyanate.

Examples of suitable aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides include the anhydrides of phthalic acid, tetrabromophthalic acid and tetrachlorophthalic acid.

The starting polymer is prepared in the conventional way, for example by polymerization in solution of the monomer (a) and the [ior 'y-hydroxyalkyl ester of a mono-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Any solvent that does not react with acids or acid anhydrides or with isocyanates may be used for this purpose. Examples of suitable solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ketones such as acetone, methylethyl ketone, methylisopropyl ketone, carboxylic acid esters such as butyl acetate and amyl acetate and ethers or ether esters such as dioxane and ethoxyethyl acetate or propionate. These solvents are also suitable for use as diluents for the prepared lacquer solution. Al cohols such as n-butanol, tert.-butanol, isopropanol, amyl alcohol, cyclohexanol or ether esters of diols such as ethane diol monoacetate, ethane diol monomethylether or solvent mixtures, for example, of alkyl benzenes and alkanols, may additionally be used for this purpose.

A radical catalyst, for example, a peroxide, an azo compound or a peroxydicarbonate, is generally used to carry out polymerisation. It is also possible to use molecular weight regulators, for example, mercaptans or xanthogenates. Polymerisation is preferably carried out at reacted for 3 hours at 55 C. with 6.5% by weight of methoxymethyl isocyanate in the presence of catalytic quantities of triethylamine and then diluted with butanol to a solids content of approximately 50%.

The prepared resin solution has an acid number of aptemperatures in the range of from 40 to 130 C. resulting 5 proximately 15 and a viscosity of approximately 120 secin the formation of a solution of the starting polymer. onds, as measured ina 6 mm. DIN-beaker.

The polymer in this solution referably has a hydroxyl number of from 40 to 140, esp ecially from 60 to 120. companson Examp 1e 1 The polymer solution thus obtained is then directly 10 A starting copolymer similar to that used in the above reacted with the dicarboxylic acid anhydride, preferably example is reacted With 65% y Weight of IhethOXY' t a temperature i h range of f 100 to 150 C methyl isocyanate only. The completed resin solution has The carboxylic acid anhydride may be directly added to an acid number of emanating from small quantities the polymer solution in a quantity sufficient to bring the of methaeryiie eeid in the Preparation of the methaeiyiie acid number of the polymer to about 5-30 and preferacid Y YP PY ester, and a Viscosity of about 112 ably to 820. The quantity required for this purpose may as measured in a 6-II1I11- DIN k rgeantliye rbe empirically established by determining the acid Comparison Example 2 The amount of hydroxyl groups still present can then A copolymer Consisting of ethyl acrylate, y 'y be calculated, and between about 50 and 100% of the acid and acrylic amide, in Which most of the amide groups quantity of an u-alkoxyalkyl isocyanate equivalent to this have been Converted into Nhutexymethyiamide groups quantity can be added to the solution. The reaction to and Which is in the form of a 50% Solution in Xyiehe/ form the urethane is usually carried out at 20-50 C. tahoi Was Used for Comparison The Polymer has a A catalyst, f example a tertiary amine (trimethyl) run-out time of 77 seconds, as measured in a 6 mm. i may b d fo hi purposa DIN-beaker, and an acid number of approximately 15,

The solution thus prepared may then optionally be based on the Solids Contentadjusted to th ired lid t t, f example 4() White lacquers will be used to demonstrate the lacquer 60%, b h ddi i of Solvents ft hi h it may be properties of lacquers based on the vehicles according to directly used as a stoving lacquer solution. the invention- In one preferred embodiment, the monoethylenically 200 of titanium dioxide Pigment and 1 of unsaturated monomers are weighed in with the calculated a solution of Calcium naphthehate in Xylene metal quantity of xylene, tert.-dodecyl mercaptan and azodiiso- Content) are added to 200 gof Polymer solution With a butyronitrile or lauroyl peroxide and polymerised in a nisolids Content of about 5070- This mixture is ground trogen atmosphere at 80 C. and further quantities of twice on a 34011 min or y other suitable grinding initiator may be added at intervals of two hours. Polym- Chineeri atio i o l t d ft some 10 h The paste thus obtained is 'made into a lacquer with The quantity of phthalic acid anhydride required for another 300 Of P y solution following the an acid number of 5-40, preferably 8-20, is then added, dition of of siiieehe Oil in y Of follow d b approximately 1 h u heating t 13() 14() butanol and 15.0 g. of glycolic acid butylester, is adjusted C. After cooling, methoxymethyl-isocyanate is added in a 40 with xylene/butanol to a pr ying i cosi y of 20 calculated quantity, followed by approximately 4 to 5 seconds, as measured in a 4 DIN-beakerhours stirring at 3040 C. (in the presence of catalytic In Order to determine its Properties, the lacquer is quantities of triethylamine). At the end of this period, the p y Onto glass panels and on o 0.1 and 0.5 mm. thick isocyanate number of the solution is practically equal to steel p Af ppr x m ly 10 minutes airing, the the reagent value. Finally, the now approximately 60% lacquer thus PP is sieved for 30 minutes at C- solution is diluted with butanol to approximately a at C- Pcndulum hardness according Erichsen Gloss accordto Konig impression Xylene test 1 Yellowing 2 ing to Gardner 20 30, 30, 30, 30, Bond strength 30, 30, 30, 72l1rs., Lacquer resin angle C. C. 130 0. 150 C. lattice section 130 C. 150 C. 130 0. 0.

According to Example 81 156 159 8- 5 8- 3 V ry good 7. 1 1 G. 0 Comparison Example 1 77 149 158 1.0 7- 4 POOL- i- 7. O 16. 2 Comparison Example 2 80 153 158 0. 9 7- 3 Goo 9. 0 26. 9

l The xylene test was carried out as follows: The lacquer film was w etted for 15 minutes with a wad'of cotton wool impregnated with xylene and covered with a watch glass. The lacquer film was evaluated after a 1'egcn oration time of 2 hours.

2 Yellowing was measured with an electric remission photometer of A starting copolymer with a viscosity of 1320 cp. (after dilution with butanol to a 50% solution), consisting of 44% by weight of ethyl acrylate, 27% by Weight of styrene, 24% by weight of methacrylic acid hydroxypropyl ester and 5% by weight of vinyl versatate, in the form of a 60% solution in xylene, is heated for 1 hour to 140 C, with 4% by weight of phthalic acid anhydride,

the type manufactured by Messrs. Carl Zeiss using a 7 filter (420 mu) and a 1 filter (680 mu). The result is expressed by the difference between filter 7 and filter l.

NoTE.+=No change (hardness, marking); =Film swollen and soft.

Comparison of the results as obtained demonstrates quite clearly the advantages of the coating agent produced from the copolymer according to the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A lacquer mixture containing, as a self-crosslinking lacquer base, a urethane moiety containing polymer produced by reacting a copolymer of (a) 90 to 60% by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms in said alkyl moiety, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, styrene, ot-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene and vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids and (b) 10 to 40% by weight of a or 'y-hydroxyalkyl ester of a mono-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic 5 acid, said copoly'mer having a hydroxyl number of from 4 to 140, with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydride to obtain a product having an acid number of from 5 to 30 and then reacting 50 to 100% of the remaining free hydroxyl groups of said latter product with an a-alkoxyalkyl isocyanate to produce said urethane moiety containing polymer.

2. The lacquer mixture of claim 1 wherein said acid number is from 8 to 20.

3. The lacquer mixture of claim 1 wherein said ualkoxyalkyl isocyanate is methoxymethyl isocyanate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,480,591 11/1969 Oertel 26075 3,423,354 1/1969 Jones 26030.6 3,442,843 5/1969 Keberle et al. 26029.2 3,451,952 6/1969 Slocombe 2602.5

6 2,466,404 4/1949 Fowler et a1. 26077.5 3,225,119 12/1965 Baker 260-874 3,245,941 4/1966 Mayer et a1. 260-31.6 3,422,165 1/1969 Brotherton et a1. 260-859 OTHER REFERENCES DONALD E. CZAJA, Primary Examiner H. S. COCKERAM, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

